Tourist Police Hotline: 1912 — 24/7, English-speaking. Call for any travel-related issue.
National Emergency Numbers
Police
119
General police emergency. English operators available at major stations.
Ambulance
1990
National ambulance service (Suwa Seriya). Free, government-run, well-equipped.
Tourist Police
1912
24/7 English-speaking hotline. Report theft, scams, lost passports.
Fire
110
Fire department emergency dispatch.
Accident Service
118
For road traffic accidents and medical emergencies.
Hospitals for Tourists
Major hospitals commonly used by travellers in key tourist areas. For urgent medical attention, call 1990 first.
| Location | Hospital | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo | Nawaloka Hospital | +94 11 557 7111 |
| Lanka Hospitals | +94 11 553 0000 | |
| National Hospital (Emergency) | +94 11 269 1111 | |
| Negombo | Negombo General Hospital | +94 31 222 2261 |
| Kandy | Kandy General Hospital | +94 81 223 4221 |
| Lakeside Adventist Hospital | +94 81 223 1685 | |
| Galle | Karapitiya Teaching Hospital | +94 91 222 2781 |
| Ella / Bandarawela | Bandarawela General Hospital | +94 57 222 2261 |
| Jaffna | Jaffna Teaching Hospital | +94 21 222 2261 |
| Nuwara Eliya | Nuwara Eliya General Hospital | +94 52 222 2261 |
| Anuradhapura | Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital | +94 25 222 2261 |
| Trincomalee | Trincomalee General Hospital | +94 26 222 2261 |
Lost or Stolen Passport
- File a police report at the nearest station. Call 119 or 1912 (tourist police).
- Contact your embassy for an emergency travel document. Most embassies in Colombo can issue an emergency passport within 24–48 hours.
- You'll need a copy of your passport (keep a photo on your phone).
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended for Sri Lanka. Medical evacuation from remote areas (Ella, Arugam Bay, Yala) can cost $5,000–$15,000 without cover. Ensure your policy covers:
- Medical evacuation and repatriation
- Hospitalisation and emergency dental
- Baggage loss and trip cancellation
- Motorbike and scooter riding (not all policies cover this)
- Adventure activities (surfing, trekking, safaris)
Scams & Safety Tips
- Tuk-tuk overcharging. Always agree on the fare before getting in. Use PickMe or Uber in Colombo/Kandy/Galle for fair pricing.
- Gem scams. If a friendly local offers to take you to a "gem mine" or "family shop," it's a commission trap. Walk away.
- Fake guides. Only use licensed guides with ID cards. Ask your hotel to recommend someone known to them.
- Train seat scams. Only buy reserved tickets at the official railway station or through the Sri Lanka Railways website. Third-party agents overcharge massively for the Ella-Kandy route.
- Safari booking. Book through your hotel or a reputable company. Touts at park gates often sell subpar experiences.
Pharmacy
Pharmacies (chemists) are widely available in all towns. Major hospital pharmacies are open 24/7. Bring essential medications from home with your prescription — some brands may not be available locally.
Need urgent help right now?
Use the BYC chat on the homepage to ask any safety or emergency question. For critical emergencies, call 119 (police) or 1990 (ambulance).